Whitley, Nichola Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY318133 Inspection date 06 June 2006 Inspector Chris Scully

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and one child aged six years in the Prescot area of Merseyside. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She attends toddler groups, parks, libraries and other places of interest with the children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder is able to support children with learning difficulties or disabilities. She is a member of the National Child Minding Association and receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. They learn the importance of good personal hygiene in order to keep themselves healthy. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before meals, after going to the toilet and messy play activities. The childminder talks to the children about the need to be healthy and provides regular opportunities for children to explore their larger physical skills within the outdoor environment. Children are becoming skilled at using larger resources such as the slide, smiling happily as they slide down. Children are protected from the risk of infection through the effective implementation of the sick children policy and consent for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has undertaken some first aid training and is due to carry out her paediatric first aid shortly; this means children's accidents or incidents are dealt with in an appropriate manner. The childminder has all the required

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Helping children to be healthy

documentation in place to ensure children's health and well-being. The childminder is very aware of sun safety, she ensures children use sun cream and wear hats in hot weather. She talks to them about being safe outdoors, playing in the shade and gives clear explanations as to why they not using the garden at certain times during the day. Children enjoy a range of mainly healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder actively encourages the children to try new tastes and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. This is supported by the effective dietary policy in place, as children are provided with a range of foods to promote their all round development and to encourage a healthier lifestyle. Children have free access to fresh drinking water in order to keep themselves refreshed. The childminder provides regular reminders in hot weather for children to have extra drinks to keep themselves hydrated. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder is knowledgeable about the children's individual dietary needs and meets these well in practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a caring environment where most risks have been identified and minimised. They are escorted when using the stairs due to large gaps on the banister, however, their safety is compromised as they have free access to the stairway. Children play safely outdoors and move freely between the paved, grassed and decked areas. Children learn the importance of keeping themselves safe through regular discussion with the childminder. For example, when out walking children are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 encouraged to hold the childminder's hand and talk about how to cross the roads safely. Outdoor resources are appropriately sited on the grass or have additional safety features to ensure children use them safely, for example, cushions at the base of the slide. The organised play room enables children to choose their own resources and where to play. The use of low-level storage fosters the children's independence and confidence, as they are able to access their resources freely. Children have access to a range of age appropriate toys, resources and equipment, which promote their learning and play experiences. Children enjoy outdoor play, they are confident to use outdoor resources and are engaged in self chosen play opportunities. Children are protected from harm by the clear child protection systems in place. This

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

is supported by the detailed child protection policy and other useful information, such as the booklet 'What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Summary'. All contact numbers are in place and to hand. The childminder ensures parents are fully informed of her responsibility to protect children and the possible action she may take in order to ensure this.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. She builds warm caring relationships with the children that enable them to feel safe and secure in her care. The childminder effectively uses information sourced from parents to ensure the children's needs are met and to provide continuity of care. The childminder is knowledgeable about the children in her care. She effectively plans activities and experiences to promote their individual developmental needs. The childminder spends time talking, listening and interacting with the children, which actively promotes their self-esteem and confidence. The children enjoy a range of trips to local parks, libraries and toddler groups, which effectively complement the home based activities. Children enjoy engaging the childminder and other children in their play, for example, playing noughts and crosses in the garden and chalking fireworks on the paved areas. The childminder asks

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

open-ended questions which enable the children to think, communicate and solve problems. Children's learning is supported well by the daily routines. These provide ample opportunities for them to become engaged in play and learning experiences, to rest and participate in activities outside of the home. Children enjoy regular trips to the swimming baths with the childminder. The childminder has an understanding of the Birth to three matters framework and uses this information to enhance the learning opportunities for younger children. Children enjoy opportunities to become engaged in messy play, sand and water activities. They particularly enjoy using the water play outdoors where they sail their boats and negotiate the obstacles in the water. Children enjoy each other's company and will encourage others to join in their activities, such as using the pool table.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are valued and included. Children's individual needs are known and met well in practice by the childminder. Effective systems are in place to obtain information from parents, which include the 'what I like' book. Children learn about the world in which we live by accessing resources depicting diversity, through discussions with the childminder and acknowledging various festivals through out the year. Children develop an understanding of their local community as they walk to and from school, use various parks and toddler groups. Children's behaviour is good and they respond well to the childminder's requests. They use manners appropriately when making a request, such as please or thank you. The well organised daily routines enable children to understand the need for safe rules and boundaries within the home and out doors. Children learn to take turns and share resources with others. For example, one child waits in anticipation for his

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Helping children make a positive contribution

turn at snooker and is keen to take his shot. The childminder has a positive relationship with the parents. Daily verbal exchanges keep parents informed of their child's day and progress. This is effectively supported by the daily written sheets, which include information on the child's activities and personal needs. Parents are provided with a parents handbook; this contains all the policies and procedures and information about the care to be provided. This means parents are fully informed about the setting and the care children receive. The childminder provides flexible care arrangements in order to meet the families' individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a sound understanding of the National Standards. All policies and procedures are in place and are effectively shared with the parents. All legally required documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and well-being is in place and is up to date. However, the childminder does not have written consent for taking children in a vehicle or on outings and was not able to produce documentation regarding the car insurance. The childminder uses the available space well to provide a range of interesting activities to children. Outdoor resources are well organised, this means children have several different areas in which to play. The main play room is child-centred and enables children to display their work, which encourages their sense of belonging. The childminder is in the process of introducing the Birth to three matters framework to further enhance the learning opportunities for younger children. Overall, the

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Organisation

provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Not applicable.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • make the stairs inaccessible to children • ensure all written consents are in place.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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